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Fresh Air Fund 2012: Camp Ozanam has ‘real sense of fellowship and brotherhood’

The first time he got on the bus to camp, Joshua Hayford had no idea he was starting a journey that would change his life.

Joshua Hayford has already completed the counsellor-in-training program at Camp Ozanam and is a staff leader this summer. It’s his way of giving back and making sure “kids have as much fun as I did when I was a camper.”
(Supplied photo)

By Leslie FerencStaff Reporter

Sun., July 29, 2012

The first time he got on the bus to camp, Joshua Hayford had no idea he was starting a journey that would change his life.

The transformation began as soon as he arrived at The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Camp Ozanam.

“I was 9 years old and it was my first camp,” said Joshua, who admitted he didn’t have a lot of self-confidence back then because he was being picked on by schoolyard bullies.

The welcome Joshua received from staff and counsellors at Ozanam, formerly known as Columbus Boys Camp, made a difference right off the bat.

“The atmosphere was amazing,” he said of the camp for boys 7 to 12 years old.

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“There was a real sense of fellowship and brotherhood.”

One day Joshua talked to his counsellor about what was happening at school. His role model’s advice was empowering:

“Prove them wrong.”

They’ve been words Joshua has lived by ever since.

He began to stretch his boundaries by exploring new activities such as hiking, camp craft, ball hockey, as well as the high ropes and obstacle courses.

“I learned to ride a bike and swim at camp,” said Joshua. “And archery was awesome.”

All the while, he was learning more about himself and his abilities.

Joshua’s counsellors made a big impression on him. They were encouraging and celebrated the successes and achievements of all the campers.

And they made it so much fun ensuring camp was the best experience ever for the kids.

It’s why Joshua knew from his very first Ozaman adventure that he wanted to be just like them.

He’s already completed the counsellor-in-training program and is a staff leader this summer. It’s his way of giving back and making sure “kids have as much fun as I did when I was a camper.”

There may be another reason. As a counsellor, he gets to be at camp for a whole month having the time of his life. Who could resist?

“Even though we’re older, we still get to act like total goofs,” Joshua said with a chuckle, adding anything goes when it comes to entertaining the campers — from donning green tights and a silly hat, to wearing a skirt and a wacky wig while playing the harmonica on skit night.

“You don’t act this way in the city,” he said of the shenanigans at Ozanam, which is located at the Scouts Canada campsite in Stouffville. “Our job is to entertain the kids.”

And there’s no greater reward than seeing the boys laughing their heads off having a blast.

“Camp really is an adventure, a place where kids can explore and do things they don’t do in the city,” the Grade 12 student at Neil McNeil High School added. “At Camp Ozanam, they get away from television, cellphones and computers and enjoy the outdoors.”

Operated by Toronto Central Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Ozanam for boys and its sister camp Marygrove for girls are among the camps to receive support by the Fresh Air Fund.

HOW TO DONATE: With your gift, the Fresh Air Fund can help send 25,000 disadvantaged and special-needs children to camp.

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